Sterling Silver vs Brass Jewellery: Which Should You Choose?

Last updated: 4 November 2026 · Written by Myra

At Myra we make both. Our 925 silver nose pins and rings sit in the same Kolkata collection as our brass earrings and metal chokers. So this guide does not crown a winner. It helps you match the metal to the moment.

What is sterling silver made of?

Pure silver is too soft for most jewellery. The Silver Institute says .999 fine silver "is considered too soft for jewelry making", so designers add harder metals like copper to strengthen it. The result is sterling silver: 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, according to both the Silver Institute and the Canadian Conservation Institute.

That is where the number 925 comes from. It means 925 parts of silver in every 1,000. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards, or BIS, lists 925 as one of the silver grades that can be hallmarked under its silver standard.

Sterling silver has a silver-white shine. Over time it can darken. The Canadian Conservation Institute explains that silver tarnish is caused by sulphur-containing gases from sources like pollution, rubber and wool. A thin layer looks yellow, and a thick layer turns black.

What is brass made of?

The Canadian Conservation Institute describes brasses as "alloys of mainly copper and zinc, with small percentages of other elements such as tin, lead or arsenic". One example, cartridge brass, is 70% copper and 30% zinc. The exact recipe varies from one brass to another.

The same institute says freshly polished brass is usually yellow, which is why it reads as golden on the skin. For copper and copper alloys such as brass, it notes that tarnish is black and more serious corrosion is green or blue-green.

Brass also has deep roots in Indian craft. Myra's care page notes that our Dokra pieces are made entirely of brass.

Sterling silver and brass side by side

Here is the quick comparison. Each row comes from the sources named above or from Myra's own care page.

Table 1: Sterling silver vs brass at a glance

Choose sterling silver if...

Sterling silver suits pieces you put on and forget about. Think of it when the jewellery stays in your skin or on your finger for hours.

• You want one piece to wear every day, including to work.
• You are buying for a piercing, such as a nose pin or a nose ring.
• You know or suspect you react to nickel. The American Academy of Dermatology, which calls it pure sterling silver, names it among the metals suited to nickel allergy.
• You like a silver-white tone that goes with both Indian and western clothes.
• You want a purity number you can check, such as the 925 grade.
• You are happy to wipe and store pieces in a pouch to keep tarnish slow.

For silver vs brass for everyday wear, many people choose silver for small pieces worn all day, since dermatology sources name it for nickel allergy. Our guide to everyday silver jewellery has styling ideas.

Choose brass if...

Brass jewellery pros and cons are easy to weigh once you know what you want from a piece. Its biggest strength is a warm, golden look in bold shapes.

• You want a large, sculpted or detailed design that makes a statement.
• You love a golden tone for festive saris and fusion outfits.
• You wear the piece for an evening or an occasion, not round the clock.
• You enjoy handcrafted metalwork like our Dokra jewellery and crafts.
• You do not mind a darker, aged patina or the odd polish to restore the shine.

The trade-offs are simple. Brass darkens over time, and its copper can leave a green mark on some skin. Both are easy to plan around, which is why brass suits pieces you wear for a few hours.

Which metal fits your occasion? Five common scenarios

Real shopping decisions rarely start with metallurgy. They start with a need. Here are five common ones.

Table 2: Which metal to choose for five common situations

A daily nose pin. A nose pin stays in your piercing day and night, so the metal matters most here. Our Handcrafted Silver Nose Pins are made in 925 sterling silver. The Abstract Illusion Nose Pin, for example, is made in hallmarked 92.5 sterling silver with an oxidised finish and a secure wire-back lock. Its product page calls it comfortable for regular wear. Prefer a ring? The Berry Whirl Nose Ring is also made in 92.5 sterling silver.

Statement earrings for a festival. For Durga Puja evenings or a wedding sangeet, brass gives you size and warmth. Phool - Big Flower Brass Ear Studs are made in brass, with a bold floral design handmade in-house by artisans at Myra. For something playful, Nectar - Bee Brass Earrings carry a bee-inspired design, also in brass. Browse our full handcrafted earring collection for both brass and silver styles.

A gift. If you do not know the person's habits, silver is a common daily choice. Our Handcrafted 925 Sterling Silver Rings suit someone who wears jewellery every day. Silver Floral Stud Earrings, made in 92.5 sterling silver, are another easy pick. For a friend who loves colour and drama, a brass piece makes a memorable gift.

Sensitive skin. DermNet, the dermatology resource from New Zealand, says silver jewellery should be safe for people with nickel allergy. The American Academy of Dermatology also names pure sterling silver. Neither source promises that any metal suits every person. If your skin reacts, or a piercing looks infected, see a doctor. Our article on nose rings for sensitive skin covers this in more detail.

A bold choker look. A choker is a showpiece, and this is where metal jewellery shines. Our Floral Metal Choker Set : Golden is a boho-inspired metal choker, handcrafted for festive or fusion wear, and it includes matching earrings. Its product page describes it as metal, so we do too. The Floral Metal Choker Set : Silver gives the same look in a cool tone. See more in our necklace and choker collection.

Can you wear brass jewellery every day?

The best-known effect of wearing brass is a green mark on the skin. A dermatologist at Nebraska Medicine explains that this residue comes from oxidation, usually of copper, with water or chemicals such as sweat and lotion. The same source says the green residue "isn't harmful" and washes off with soap and water.

Brass recipes vary from one maker to the next, so read each product page for its material description. The sources we cite describe what brass is made of and how it behaves on skin. They do not judge whether it suits every person, and neither do we.

Nickel is a separate question. DermNet says skin affected by nickel allergy becomes intensely itchy and may become red and blistered. If you already know you react to nickel, or you are not sure what a piece contains, check the product description. The American Academy of Dermatology advises seeing a dermatologist if a rash returns.

How does caring for each metal differ?

Both metals change colour over time, but they need slightly different care. Myra's jewellery maintenance and care page gives our full advice.

Table 3: Care difference between sterling silver and brass

Sterling silver care. Store each piece in an airtight zip-lock pouch to keep moisture away. If it darkens, toothpaste powder or lemon juice removes the tarnished parts, according to Myra's care page. Regular wear can actually keep silver shiny, depending on your skin type. For a full routine, read our guide on how to care for silver jewellery.

Brass care. For brass Dokra pieces, Myra's care page suggests a low-humidity place and rubbing tamarind on the surface to bring back the shine. Avoid home cleaners that mix salt and vinegar. The Canadian Conservation Institute warns that this mixture can draw zinc out of brass, turning its surface a salmon pink colour.

So, which should you choose?

There is no single best metal, only the best metal for the job. Pick sterling silver for small pieces that live on your body every day. Pick brass for the bold, golden pieces that make an occasion feel special. If you are still unsure about silver-coloured metals, our guide to German silver vs sterling silver vs pure silver explains the rest.

Whichever you choose, you can shop handcrafted jewellery online in Kolkata from Myra, or visit our stores in Gariahat and Kasba. Explore our silver nose pins or browse the earrings and chokers for your next statement piece.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between sterling silver and brass?

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, while brass is an alloy of mainly copper and zinc. Silver has a cool white shine and can carry a 925 hallmark grade. Brass looks yellow or golden and suits bold designs. Both tarnish over time, but they need slightly different care.

Is brass jewellery safe to wear daily?

Many people wear brass often. Its copper can leave a green mark on the skin, which a Nebraska Medicine dermatologist says "isn't harmful" and washes off with soap and water. Brass recipes vary, so read each product description for the material. If you have a rash or a known metal allergy, see a dermatologist.

Which is better for everyday wear, silver or brass?

For small pieces worn all day, such as nose pins and rings, many people choose sterling silver, and dermatology sources name it for people with nickel allergy. Brass earrings suit everyday outfits too, but many people save bold brass pieces for evenings and occasions.

Why does brass turn my skin green?

Brass contains copper, and copper reacts with water and chemicals such as sweat and lotion. A dermatologist at Nebraska Medicine explains that this oxidation creates the green colour, and says the residue isn't harmful and washes off with soap and water.

Which metal is best for a nose ring with sensitive skin?

Sterling silver is the usual choice for a piercing. The American Academy of Dermatology names pure sterling silver among the metals for people with nickel allergy. DermNet says silver jewellery should be safe for them. No metal suits every person, so see a doctor if your piercing becomes red, sore or infected.